Programs

Cleaning for Health

Cleaning for Health

Informed Green Solutions’ Cleaning for Health project aims to protect custodial workers, building occupants and the environment from the adverse impacts of cleaning chemicals by identifying toxic substances of concern and promoting the use of safer products and practices.

Cleaning for Health (green cleaning) is a practice that addresses toxic substances contained in cleaning products. The chemicals contained in traditional cleaning products can cause a range of health effects. Current research has found links between these ingredients and birth defects, asthma, respiratory disease, neurological disorders and other health impacts.

The chemicals contained in cleaning products are particularly worrisome because their use exposes custodial staff, children and other building occupants to these chemicals. (With other products, exposure to the toxic substances occurs primarily if the product is misused; with cleaners, some level of exposure is nearly unavoidable.)

A Cleaning for Health (CfH) program identifies readily-available products that substitute green chemistry alternatives for more toxic traditional ingredients. Green cleaning also requires a change in cleaning practices and equipment. The following Report and Fact Sheets will help you better understand why CfH is important and how to implement a program in your facility.

Toxic chemicals found in many cleaning products can jeopardize the health of janitorial workers and other building occupants. Several states and local governments have found that switching to “greener cleaners” has improved indoor air quality, reduced complaints among janitorial staff and even saved them money. This report is a one-stop guide to environmentally preferable cleaning products and methods that have been effectively used in office buildings, schools, hospitals and other facilities in the United States and Canada. It describes pioneering product evaluation programs and lists the brands that were chosen based on environmental and performance criteria. It also provides a model specification, as well as manufacturer contacts and other resources for those who want to develop a safer cleaning program for their buildings.